Introduction. Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme
(ACE) is a key component in regulation of blood pressure by virtue of
the rennin-angiotensin system. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide,
angiotensin I, into the potent vasopressor octapeptide, angiotensin
II, and inactivates bradykinin, which has a vasodilating action. So,
inhibition of ACE has become a major target in control of
hypertension. It is well known that the consumption of fruits could
provide health benefits by lowering the risk of chronic diseases such
as metabolic syndrome diseases including type 2 diabetes and
cardiovascular disease. Our current study was focused on investigating
the ACE inhibitory property of a few underutilized minor fruits of
West Bengal using an in vitro assay. Materials
and methods. The potential antihypertensive activity of
underutilized indigenous edible fruits of West Bengal, India, was
evaluated by their ability to inhibit Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme
(ACE). The ACE inhibitory property was assayed using ACE from rabbit
lung and hippuryl-histidyl-leucine as the substrate. Nineteen fruit
species belonging to 15 families were investigated. The percentage ACE
inhibitory activities of these fruits were studied at 20 µg fresh
weight of fruit extract per mL. The total phenol content of all these
fruits was determined following the standard Folin-Ciocalteu method.
Total flavonoid content was also measured. Results. The
aqueous fruit extracts of the red variety of Trapa
bispinosa, Phoenix sylvestris,
Cicca acida, Achras sapota and
Averrhoa carambola presented more than 75% ACE
inhibition. On the other hand, Punica granatum,
Spondias pinnata, Trapa
bispinosa (green) and Ziziphus mauritiana
showed about 50% inhibition. Aegle
marmelos, Annona squamosa, Annona reticulata,
Feronia elephantum, Physalis peruviana and
Syzygium jambos showed low activity (< 50%
inhibition). Discussions. To date there has been no
report on Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme inhibitory activities of
these underutilized minor fruits of West Bengal, India. During our
study no correlation could be established between the % ACE inhibition
and the total phenol or flavonoid content of these fruit extracts. So,
it appears that non-phenolic components may also be responsible for
ACE inhibitory activity. In our investigation we tried to establish
the fact that the consumption of these underutilized minor fruits
might have potential in managing cardiovascular diseases.